'Good sign' for Wild: Suter not among players receiving treatment

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter checks Chicago Blackhawks left wing Bryan Bickell into the boards during the first period of Game 3 against the Chicago Blackhawks at Xcel Energy Center Arena on May 6, 2014 in St. Paul. (Pioneer Press: Sherri LaRose-Chiglo)

After missing 23 straight games, Keith Ballard re-joined the Wild and played well in his 11 minutes, 26 seconds of ice time, coach Mike Yeo said.

Tuesday night's 4-0, Game 3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks was Ballard's first game since suffering a groin injury March 17.

"I thought he played very well," Yeo said. "First off, he had a couple hits, which was something that we were looking for -- a physical presence. But he's got the skating ability to get there and hit. When he was hitting, he wasn't taking himself out of the play. He wasn't running out of position. He was doing it in a very controlled way."

Ballard's ice time increased when Ryan Suter went to the training room following a second-period tangle with Marian Hossa. Suter fell awkwardly on his right arm, but the Wild's best defenseman returned at the start of the third period and Yeo said there was no reason for concern.

"We have players here that are a little bit banged up to get treatment and he's not here, so that's a good sign," Yeo said Wednesday.